Colton Keig is loaded with options for his football future.

Riverside Military’s rising senior defensive end is on the recruiting radar for quite a few Division I football programs, not only because of the number positions he could play at the next level, but also because of his academic ambition.

"I really want to pursue a degree in engineering," Keig said.

With the exemplary transcript the 6-foot-4, 255 pound defensive end can send off, and the ability to play on both sides of the line, Keig’s currently being courted by Navy, Vanderbilt, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Auburn, South Florida, Central Florida, Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern, among others.

This summer, his planned campus visits include USF, UCF, Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern, according to Eagles coach Chris Lancaster.

Keig, a Times 2007 All-County defensive lineman, currently holds a scholarship offer to play at Navy, and is spending this weekend at a camp at Vanderbilt. He says one of his favorites to this point is Clemson due to the strong engineering program the school offers.

"Colton is a tremendous athlete," Lancaster said. "He’s not only a good football player, but also our top lacrosse player and a great wrestler."

Riverside’s coach says Keig’s future offers depend on how he projects to grow into a player at the next level.

"Personally I see him playing on the offensive line in college," Lancaster added. "He may not fit the frame that some schools want with the player that weighs between 280-300, but a lot of schools project a player’s frame and how much room they have to grow — it all comes down to projection. I think he could fit in well at center."

Keig is perfectly fine with being projected as a center at the next level, since that is where Clemson’s football program would most likely plug him in on its line. He also likes Central Florida’s program, which is recruiting him as a defensive lineman.

Keig isn’t worried by the fact he hasn’t been bombarded with official offers.

He’s spent time talking with 2008 RMA graduate and Furman football signee Tersoo Uhaa about what to expect during the recruiting process. Uhaa wasn’t offered by Furman until after his senior season ended.

Lancaster said most of Keig’s interest has been in the form of letters, with at least one piece of mail coming from a school each day.

The Eagles have close tie with Vanderbilt’s program — 2005 RMA graduate Broderick Stewart is now a starting defensive lineman for the Commodores.

Keig also plays for a coach who was a starting fullback at Clemson.

"I think the best thing about Colton is that he’s a good person," Lancaster said. "And it all starts that he comes from a great family."

Last season, Keig recorded 52 tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks. He also returned an interception for a touchdown against Mount de Sales.